2010 Energy-Efficiency Scorecard Released

Last week, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit and independent organization, reported the states with the highest and lowest scores for its 2010 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard.

The highest ranking state — for the fourth year in a row — was California, followed by Massachusetts, Oregon, New York and Vermont.

The most improved states were Utah and Arizona, rising eight spots, and New Mexico and Alaska, up 11 spots since last year’s scorecard. Check out the map illustrating the 2010 scorecard to see how every state placed.

Every year the ACEEE provides a report that is an assessment of programs and state policies that improve energy efficiency in homes, businesses, industry and transportation. The report breaks down the scorecard into six categories:

Utility and public benefits programs and policies

Transportation policies

Building energy codes

Combined heat and power

State government initiatives

Appliance efficiency standards

It is possible for states to earn up to 50 combined points in these categories, and the higher the number, the greater the potential for energy savings in that area. The scorecard encourages state efforts leaning toward energy efficiency policies and programs, and pushes them to improve each year. Since 2007, the spending level of state energy efficiency budgets has nearly doubled.

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